English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Holberrow Green

Early-attested site in the Parish of Inkberrow

Historical Forms

  • Holbarewe 1275 FF
  • Holeburwe 1280 FF
  • Holeboregh 1306 Ipm
  • Holebargh 1307 Cl
  • Hulleberewe 1327 SR
  • Holbarwe 1331 ADiii
  • Holberwe 1357 Pat
  • Holborough 1628 QSR

Etymology

There does not seem to be any particular topographical reason why this hill should be called 'hollow' (v. holh ) and the forms, especially that in Hulle - are against such a suggestion.Rather we must take the first element to be OE  hulu , 'hovel,' and take the whole name to mean 'hovel-hill,' that is, hill with hovels on or by it. For the use of such an element v. Hulcott (PN Bk 152). The o forms are at first common spellings of u as o ; later they led to actual confusion with the more common first element Hol - from holh .